Community Corner
Tips for Going to the National Memorial Day Concert in D.C.
Annual event starts at 8 p.m. Sunday
The 23rd annual National Memorial Day Concert, scheduled for 8 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, has another stellar lineup this year, including performances by rock band Daughtry, Grammy Award-winner Natalie Cole, country singer Trace Adkins, American Idol finalist Jessica Sanchez and the National Symphony Orchestra.
The show will be co-hosted by actors Gary Sinise and Joe Montegna, who are teaming up for the seventh year hosting the event, which remembers the sacrifices of veterans, service members and their families.
Tips if you plan to go:
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- Dress for the weather. Temperatures on Sunday will warm up to about 89 degrees, with 65 percent humidity and a 30 percent chance of rain, according to NBC 4.
- The concert is free and open to the public; no tickets are required.
- The closest Metro stops are Federal Center SW (Orange/Blue line) and Union Station (Red line). Customers are encouraged to sign up for MetroAlerts (wmata.com/metroalerts) to receive service information via email or text message.
- General admission gates will open at 5 p.m., three hours before the concert starts. All concert-goers will walk through metal detectors.
- Prohibited items include bicycles, alcoholic beverages, animals other than service animals, fireworks, knives, stun guns, oversized umbrellas and suitcases.
- You can bring your own food and water, just no glass bottles.
- All public entry points will be wheelchair accessible. Mobility-impaired guests and their party will be accommodated at any public entrance site, and can park along the south curb of Constitution Avenue between First Street and Third Street, NW.
- If you plan to drive, there is parking at Union Station. Parking is $16 for 3-5 hours.
Temporary street closures, which started on Friday, will continue through Tuesday at 4 a.m.:
- First Street between Independence Avenue, SW and Constitution Avenue, NW
- Pennsylvania Avenue, NW between First Street, NW and Third Street, NW
- Maryland Avenue between First Street, SW and Third Street, SW
- First Street between Garfield Circle and Peace Circle
Concert-goers will enter the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol from:
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North Side
- First Street, NW and Constitution Avenue, NW
- Third Street, NW and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
South Side
- First Street, SW and Independence Avenue, SW
- Third Street, SW and Maryland Avenue, SW
Can't make it to the concert? PBS stations will air the concert live and re-broadcast it from 9:30 to 11 p.m.
Or you can catch the concert dress rehearsal on Saturday beginning at 7:30 p.m. Gates will open at 5 p.m.
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